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{{About|the Honoris Crux Silver||Honoris Crux}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2012}}
{{Use South African English|date=November 2012}}
{{Use South African English|date=November 2012}}
{{infobox military award
{{infobox military award
| name = Honoris Crux Silver
| name = Honoris Crux Silver
| image = [[File:Honoris Crux Silver medal.jpg|120px]]
| image = [[File:Honoris Crux Silver medal.jpg]]
| caption =
| caption =
| awarded_by = [[South African Defence Force]]
| awarded_by = the State President and, from 1994, the President to [[South African Defence Force]] members
| country = {{flag|South Africa|1928}}
| country = {{flagicon|South Africa|1928}} {{flag|South Africa|1994}}
| type = Decoration
| type = Military decoration for bravery
| eligibility = All ranks
| eligibility = All Ranks
| for = Exceptional bravery in great danger
| for = Exceptional bravery in great danger
| campaign =
| campaign = 1966-1989 Border War
| status = Discontinued
| status = Discontinued in 2003
| description =
| description =
| motto =
| motto =
| clasps =
| clasps =
| post-nominals = HCS
| post-nominals = HCS
| established =
| established = 1975
| first_award = 1976
| first_award = 1976
| last_award = 1992
| last_award = 1992
Line 24: Line 25:
| precedence_label =
| precedence_label =
| individual =
| individual =
| higher = [[Honoris Crux Gold]]
| higher = {{plainlist|'''SADF precedence:'''<ref name="Gazette 15093"/>
*[[Honoris Crux (1952)]] (HC)
}}
{{plainlist|'''SANDF precedence:'''<ref name="Gazette 27376"/>
*[[Honoris Crux (1952)]] (HC)
}}
| same =
| same =
| lower = [[Honoris Crux (1952)|Honoris Crux of 1952]]
| lower = {{plainlist|'''SADF precedence:'''<ref name="Gazette 15093"/>
*[[Van Riebeeck Decoration]] (DVR)
}}
{{plainlist|'''SANDF precedence:'''<ref name="Gazette 27376"/>
*[[Van Riebeeck Decoration]] (DVR)
}}
| related =
| related =
| image2 = [[File:HCSlint.gif]]
| image2 = [[File:HCSlint.gif]]
| caption2 = Ribbon: 32mm, orange, with two white lines
| caption2 = Ribbon bar
}}
}}


The '''Honoris Crux Silver''' (Silver Cross of Honour) is a [[South African military decorations|military decoration for bravery]] that was instituted by the [[South Africa|Republic of South Africa]] in 1975.
The '''Honoris Crux Silver''' (HCS) was a [[South African military decorations|South African military decoration]] that existed from 1975 to 2003. It was the third of the four classes of the Honoris Crux Decoration (see also [[Honoris Crux Diamond]], [[Honoris Crux Gold]], and [[Honoris Crux (1975)|Honoris Crux]] and was awarded for exceptional acts of bravery while in great danger. The decoration is made of silver. A Bar may be awarded for a further, similar, deed of bravery. The bar is of silver with a miniature replica of the Maltese Cross in silver embossed in the centre.<ref name=SAMW1>{{cite web|title=South African Medal Website|url=http://hwmw.bravehost.com/4-def.htm|work=South African Orders, Decorations, & Medals A-Z}}</ref> The recipient is entitled to the post-nominal title HCS.


The '''Honoris Crux Silver''', post-nominal letters '''HCS''',<ref name="PostNominals">[http://samw.hwmw.net46.net/sapnls.htm South African Medals Website - Post-nominal Letters]</ref> was in use from 1 July 1975 and was awarded to members of the [[South African Defence Force]] for exceptional acts of bravery while in great danger. It was the third most senior in a set of four classes of Honoris Crux decorations that replaced the discontinued [[Honoris Crux (1952)|Honoris Crux of 1952]].<ref name="SADF 1975-2003"/>
The HCS decoration has been superseded by the [[Nkwe ya Selefera]] decoration.


==The South African military==
==Design==
The Union Defence Forces (UDF) were established in 1912 and renamed the South African Defence Force (SADF) in 1958. On 27 April 1994 it was integrated with six other independent forces into the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).<ref name="SADF 1952-1975">[http://samw.hwmw.net46.net/mil52.htm South African Medals Website - SA Defence Force : 1952-1975]</ref>


===Orders, decorations and medals===
In April 1952 a series of military decorations and medals was instituted, consisting of substitutes for many of the British and Commonwealth awards which had earlier been used. More decorations and medals, as well as an emblem for being mentioned in dispatches, were added between 1953 and 1970. In July 1975 the military decorations and medals of the [[South Africa|Republic]] were revised. Some decorations and medals were carried over from the earlier series of 1952-1975 and new awards were instituted, followed by more between 1987 and 1991. Finally, all but one of these earlier awards were discontinued in respect of services performed on or after 27 April 2003, when a new set of nine decorations and medals was instituted to replace them.<ref name="SADF 1975-2003">[http://samw.hwmw.net46.net/mil75.htm South African Medals Website - SA Defence Force : 1975-2003]</ref><ref name="SADF 1952-1975"/><ref name="Afrikaans 1">[[:af:Suid-Afrikaanse militêre dekorasies: 1952-1975|Suid-Afrikaanse militêre dekorasies: 1952-1975]]</ref><ref name="Afrikaans 2">[[:af:Suid-Afrikaanse militêre dekorasies: 1975-2003|Suid-Afrikaanse militêre dekorasies: 1975-2003]]</ref><ref name="Gazette 25213">[http://us-cdn.creamermedia.co.za/assets/articles/attachments/00893_presidentialwarrant.pdf Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 457, no. 25213, Pretoria, 25 July 2003]</ref>

===Awarding authority===
Until 1958 the top three awards were reserved for conferment by [[Elizabeth II|the Queen]] while the rest were awarded by the [[Governor-General of the Union of South Africa|Governor-General]], but in 1958 the Governor-General was authorised to also award the top three. In 1961 the State President became the awarding authority, and in 1994 the President.<ref name="SADF 1952-1975"/>

==Award criteria==
The '''Honoris Crux Silver''', post-nominal letters '''HCS''', was awarded to members of the [[South African Defence Force]] for exceptional acts of bravery in action while in great danger. A Bar could be awarded for a further similar deed of bravery. It was the third most senior of a set of four classes of Honoris Crux decorations, the [[Honoris Crux Diamond]], [[Honoris Crux Gold]], Honoris Crux Silver and [[Honoris Crux (1975)|Honoris Crux]] that replaced the discontinued [[Honoris Crux (1952)|Honoris Crux of 1952]].<ref name="SADF 1975-2003"/>

==Order of precedence==
The position of the Honoris Crux Silver in the official order of precedence was revised twice to accommodate the institution or addition of new decorations and medals, first with the integration into the South African National Defence Force on 27 April 1994 and again with the institution of a new set of awards on 27 April 2003, but it remained unchanged on both occasions.<ref name="Gazette 15093">Republic of South Africa Government Gazette no. 15093, Pretoria, 3 September 1993</ref><ref name="Gazette 27376">Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 477, no. 27376, Pretoria, 11 March 2005, ISBN 9771682584003 27376</ref>

;Official SANDF order of precedence:
* Preceded by the ''[[Honoris Crux (1952)]] (HC)''.
* Succeeded by the ''[[Van Riebeeck Decoration]] (DVR)''.<ref name="Gazette 15093"/><ref name="Gazette 27376"/>

;Official national order of precedence:
* Preceded by the ''[[Honoris Crux (1952)]] (HC)''.
* Succeeded by the ''[[Van Riebeeck Decoration]] (DVR)''.<ref name="Gazette 15093"/><ref name="Gazette 27376"/>

==Description==
;Obverse
;Obverse
Two swords in saltire surmounted by a circular Protea wreath, all in silver; thereon a green Maltese Cross charged with a roundel tierced horizontally in orange, white and blue, witin a silver circular border.<ref name="SAMA">{{cite book | title=South African Military Awards 1912-1987 | publisher=South African National Museum of Military History | author=Monick, S | year=1988 | pages=49}}</ref>
The Honoris Crux Silver is a silver Maltese cross that fits in a circle 45 millimetres in diameter, with two swords in [[saltire]] surmounted by a circular protea wreath, the arms of the cross in green enamel, with a roundel in the centre tierced horizontally in the orange, white and blue bands of the national flag, framed in a double silver circle containing 24 stones.<ref name="SAMA">{{cite book | title=South African Military Awards 1912-1987 | publisher=South African National Museum of Military History | author=Monick, S | year=1988 | pages=49}}</ref> It is identical to the [[Honoris Crux (1975)|Honoris Crux of 1975]] in all respects except the colour of the enamel on the arms of the cross.

;Reverse
;Reverse
The old South African Coat of Arms appears on the reverse.
The reverse has the [[:File:Coat of Arms of South Africa (1932-2000).svg|pre-1994 South African Coat of Arms]], with the decoration number underneath.<ref name="SAMA"/>

;Bar
The bar is of silver with a miniature replica of the Maltese cross embossed in the centre.

;Ribbon
;Ribbon
The ribbon is Orange, 32mm in width with 1mm white centre stripe 13mm from each edge.<ref name="SAMA" />
The ribbon is 32 millimetres wide, orange with two 1 millimetre wide white bands in the centre, spaced 4 millimetres apart.<ref name="SAMA"/>

==Discontinuation==
The conferment of the decoration was discontinued in respect of services performed on or after 27 April 2003, when the Honoris Crux Silver was replaced by the new [[Nkwe ya Selefera]] on 27 April 2003.<ref name="SADF 1975-2003"/>


==Recipients==
==Recipients==
In respect of those recipients about whom it is available as indicated by the ♥ symbol after their names, the actions they were cited for follow below the table, since inclusion in the table itself is impractical.

{|class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%;"
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%;"
!scope="row"; style="background-color: #ACD1E9;" | Medal Number
!scope="row"; style="background-color: #ACD1E9;" | Name
!scope="row"; style="background-color: #ACD1E9;" | Name
!scope="row"; style="background-color: #ACD1E9;" | Service
!scope="row"; style="background-color: #ACD1E9;" | Rank
!scope="row"; style="background-color: #ACD1E9;" | Rank
!scope="row"; style="background-color: #ACD1E9;" | Unit
!scope="row"; style="background-color: #ACD1E9;" | HCS no.
!scope="row"; style="background-color: #ACD1E9;" | Date of action
!scope="row"; style="background-color: #ACD1E9;" | Date of action
!scope="row"; style="background-color: #ACD1E9;" class="unsortable"| Action cited for
!scope="row"; style="background-color: #ACD1E9;" | Unit
!scope="row"; style="background-color: #ACD1E9;" | Service<br>Arm
|-
|-
|Swanepoel, Pieter Arnoldus
|001 <ref name=Uys183/> ||{{sortname|Pieter Arnoldus|Swanepoel}}||[[South African Army|SA Army]]|| [[Corporal]]|| 2 SAI Bn ||{{dts|format=dmy|1975|November|11}}<ref name=SAF1/>||
|[[Corporal|Cpl]]
|001 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|abbr=on|1975|November|11}}
|2 SAI Bn
|[[South African Army|SA Army]]
|-
|-
|Van Niekerk, Hermanus
|002 <ref name=Uys183>{{cite book|last=Uys|first=Ian|title=Cross of Honour|year=1992|publisher=Uys Publishers|page=183|isbn=0-9583173-2-1}}</ref> ||{{sortname|Hermanus|Van Niekerk}}||[[South African Army|SA Army]]||[[2nd Lieutenant]]||14 Field Regt||{{dts|format=dmy|1975|November|23}}<ref name=SAF1>{{cite web|title=S A Forces|url=http://www.samagte.co.za/weermag/hc/bravery.html|work=Recipients of SADF Bravery Awards}}</ref> ||
|[[2nd Lieutenant|2 Lt]]
|002 <ref name=Uys183>{{cite book|last=Uys|first=Ian|title=Cross of Honour|year=1992|publisher=Uys Publishers|page=183|isbn=0-9583173-2-1}}</ref>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|abbr=on|1975|November|23}}
|14 Fd Rgt
|[[South African Army|SA Army]]
|-
|-
|Wannenburg, Frederick Gerhardus {{KIA}}
|003 <ref name=Uys183/> ||{{sortname|Frederick Gerhardus|Wannenburg}}{{KIA}}||[[South African Army|SA Army]]||[[2nd Lieutenant]]||1 Reconnaissance Regiment||{{dts|format=dmy|1975|December|7}}<ref name=SAF1/> ||
|[[2nd Lieutenant|2 Lt]]
|003 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|abbr=on|1975|December|7}}
|1 Recce Rgt
|[[South African Army|SA Army]]
|-
|-
|Piccione, Kevin Bruce
|004 <ref name=Uys183/> ||{{sortname|Kevin Bruce|Piccione}}||[[South African Army|SA Army]]|| [[Trooper (rank)|Trooper]]|| 1 Special Service Bn ||{{dts|format=dmy|1975|December|26}}<ref name=SAF1/>||
|[[Trooper (rank)|Tpr]]
|004 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1975|December|26}}
|1 SSB
|[[South African Army|SA Army]]
|-
|-
|Rawlins, Vincent R.
|005 <ref name=Uys183/> ||{{sortname|Vincent R.|Rawlins}}||[[South African Army|SA Army]]|| [[Corporal]]|| 3 SAI Bn ||{{dts|format=dmy|1976|January|3}}<ref name=SAF1/>||
|[[Corporal|Cpl]]
|005 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1976|January|3}}
|3 SAI Bn
|[[South African Army|SA Army]]
|-
|-
|Ward, William James Harold
|006 <ref name=Uys183/> ||{{sortname|William James Harold|Ward}}||[[South African Army|SA Army]]||[[Staff Sergeant]]||2 Reconnaissance Regiment||{{dts|format=dmy|1976|March|10}}<ref name=SAF1/> ||
|[[Staff Sergeant|S Sgt]]
|006 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1976|March|10}}
|2 Recce Rgt
|[[South African Army|SA Army]]
|-
|-
|Childs, Perry James
|007 <ref name=Uys183/> ||{{sortname|Perry James|Childs}}||[[South African Air Force|SAAF]]|| [[Lieutenant]]|| [[17 Squadron SAAF|17 Sqn]] ||{{dts|format=dmy|1976|March|27}}<ref name=SAF1/>||
|[[Lieutenant|Lt]]
|007 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1976|March|27}}
|[[17 Squadron SAAF|17 Sqn]]
|[[South African Air Force|SAAF]]
|-
|-
|Meerholz, Cornelius Alwyn Johannes
|008 <ref name=Uys183/> ||{{sortname|Cornelius Alwyn Johannes|Meerholz}}||[[South African Army|SA Army]]|| [[Captain (land)|Captain]]|| 1 Reconnaissance Regiment ||{{dts|format=dmy|1977|October|28}}<ref name=SAF1/>||
|[[Captain (land)|Capt]]
|008 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1977|October|28}}
|1 Recce Rgt
|[[South African Army|SA Army]]
|-
|-
|Hogan, Leo Anthony
|009 <ref name=Uys183/> ||{{sortname|Leo Anthony|Hogan}}||[[South African Army|SA Army]]||[[Rifleman]]|| 3 Para Bn ||{{dts|format=dmy|1977|November|9}}<ref name=SAF1/> ||
|[[Rifleman|Rfn]]
|009 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1977|November|9}}
|3 Para Bn
|[[South African Army|SA Army]]
|-
|-
|Costa, Feliciano [[Honoris Crux Silver#Actions cited for|♥]]
|010 <ref name=Uys183/> ||{{sortname|Feliciano|Costa}}||[[South African Army|SA Army]]|| [[Rifleman]]||32 Bn||{{dts|format=dmy|1979|April|22}}<ref name=SAMW1/>||Awarded for action with enemy insurgents 16&nbsp;km North of Angolan border during a succession of interlinked firefights where Rfn Costa repeatedly attacked and killed enemy insurgents using grenades after his RPD had been damaged by enemy fire. He was the first member of the SADF to be presented with the HCS at a medal parade in the operational area.<ref>{{cite web|title=Honoris Crux|url=http://flecha.co.uk/honoris_crux.html|work=Rifleman Feliciano Costa}}</ref>
|[[Rifleman|Rfn]]
|-
|010 <ref name=Uys183/>
|011 <ref name=Uys183/> ||{{sortname|Cornelius Noël|Breytenbach}}||[[South African Air Force|SAAF]]|| [[Commandant]]|| [[19 Squadron SAAF|19 Sqn]] ||{{dts|format=dmy|1979|September|1}}<ref name=SAF1/><ref group="note">Later awarded the Honoris Crux</ref>||
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1979|April|22}}
|32 Bn
|[[South African Army|SA Army]]
|-
|-
|Breytenbach, Cornelius Noël
|012 <ref name=Uys183/> ||{{sortname|Richard John|Stannard}}||[[South African Army|SA Army]]|| [[Lieutenant]]|| 1 Reconnaissance Regiment ||{{dts|format=dmy|1981|January|28}}<ref name=SAF1/>||
|[[Commandant|Cmdt]]
|-
|011 <ref name=Uys183/>
|013 <ref name=Uys183/> ||{{sortname|Richard Campbell McNeillie (Dick)|Lewer}}||[[South African Air Force|SAAF]]|| [[Major]]|| [[8 Squadron SAAF|8 Sqn]] ||{{dts|format=dmy|1981|August|23}}<ref name=SAF1/>||Awarded for close air support to an ambushed [[South West African Territorial Force#Military Units|31 Bn]] company close to [[Xangongo]], deployed as a stopper group for the opening of [[Operation Protea]]. Lewer repeatedly attacked a large force of [[SWAPO]]/[[Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola|FAPLA]] elements who had pinned down a SADF company in his single seat [[Aermacchi MB-326|Impala]]. Operating alone and at night, his continued attacks allowed the company to withdraw to safety.<ref>Bagshaw (1990), pp21-22</ref>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1979|September|1}}
|[[19 Squadron SAAF|19 Sqn]]
|[[South African Air Force|SAAF]]
|-
|-
|Stannard, Richard John

|[[Lieutenant|Lt]]
|014 <ref name=Uys183/> ||{{sortname|Christo Wilhelm|Botes}}||[[South African Air Force|SAAF]]|| [[Sergeant]]||AFB Ondangwa||{{dts|format=dmy|1981|December|29}}<ref name=SAF1/>||Flight engineer on the helicopter mission with [[Arthur W. Walker|Capt. A.W. Walker]] HCG. Awarded for life threatening actions when they landed their helicopter to rescue the crew (Lt. Serge Bovie and Sgt. Dolf van Rensburg) of a downed Alouette III helicopter whilst under intense enemy fire.<ref>Bagshaw (1990), p68</ref>
|012 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1981|January|28}}
|1 Recce Rgt
|[[South African Army|SA Army]]
|-
|-
|Lewer, Richard Campbell McNeillie [[Honoris Crux Silver#Actions cited for|♥]]
|015 <ref name=Uys183/> ||{{sortname|Leslie Edward|Barnes}}||[[South African Air Force|SAAF]]|| [[Sergeant]]|| Mobile Radar ||{{dts|format=dmy|1983|May|20}}<ref name=SAF1/>||
|[[Major|Maj]]
|013 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1981|August|23}}
|[[8 Squadron SAAF|8 Sqn]]
|[[South African Air Force|SAAF]]
|-
|-
|Botes, Christo Wilhelm [[Honoris Crux Silver#Actions cited for|♥]]
|016 <ref name=Uys183/> ||{{sortname|Alexander Petrus|Bantjes}}||[[South African Air Force|SAAF]]|| [[Corporal]]|| Mobile Radar ||{{dts|format=dmy|1984|March|19}} <ref name=SAF1/>||
|[[Sergeant|Sgt]]
|014 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1981|December|29}}
|AFB Ondangwa
|[[South African Air Force|SAAF]]
|-
|-
|Barnes, Leslie Edward
|017 <ref name=Uys183/> ||{{sortname|Dawie|Hashomwenda}}||[[South African Army|SA Army]]|| [[Rifleman]]|| 101 Bn ||{{dts|format=dmy|1985|February|6}}<ref name=SAF1/> ||
|[[Sergeant|Sgt]]
|015 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1983|May|20}}
|MRU
|[[South African Air Force|SAAF]]
|-
|-
|Bantjes, Alexander Petrus
|018 <ref name=Uys183/> ||{{sortname|Hendrik Gideon|Van Zyl}}||[[South African Military Health Service|SAMS]]|| [[Lieutenant]]|| Spec Serv HQ ||{{dts|format=dmy|1985|February|11}}<ref name=SAF1/> ||
|[[Corporal|Cpl]]
|016 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1984|March|19}}
|MRU
|[[South African Air Force|SAAF]]
|-
|-
|Hashomwenda, Dawie
|019 <ref name=Uys183/> ||{{sortname|Andre|Diedericks}} <small>[[Honoris Crux (1975)|HC]]</small>||[[South African Army|SA Army]]|| [[Major]]|| Special Forces HQ ||{{dts|format=dmy|1985|June|1}}<ref name=SAF1/>||
|[[Rifleman|Rfn]]
|017 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1985|February|6}}
|101 Bn
|[[South African Army|SA Army]]
|-
|-
|Van Zyl, Hendrik Gideon
|020 <ref name=Uys183/> ||{{sortname|Jacobus Frederik|Steyn}}||[[South African Army|SA Army]]|| [[Major]]|| North Cape Command ||{{dts|format=dmy|1987|January|1}}<ref name=SAF1/> ||
|[[Lieutenant|Lt]]
|018 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1985|February|11}}
|Spec Serv HQ
|[[South African Military Health Service|SAMS]]
|-
|Diedericks, André HC ([[Honoris Crux (1975)|HC 1976]])
|[[Major|Maj]]
|019 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1985|June|1}}
|Spec Forces HQ
|[[South African Army|SA Army]]
|-
|Steyn, Jacobus Frederik
|[[Major|Maj]]
|020 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1987|January|1}}
|NC Command
|[[South African Army|SA Army]]
|-
|-
|Roux, Anton Louis
|021 <ref name=Uys183/> ||{{sortname|Anton Louis|Roux}}||[[South African Military Health Service|SAMS]]|| [[Lance Corporal|L/ Corporal]]|| 10 Med Gp ||{{dts|format=dmy|1987|February|28}}<ref name=SAF1/>||
|[[Lance Corporal|L Cpl]]
|021 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1987|February|28}}
|10 Med Gp
|[[South African Military Health Service|SAMS]]
|-
|-
|Venter, Johannes Antonie

|[[Lance Corporal|L Cpl]]
|022 <ref name=Uys183/> ||{{sortname|Johannes Antonie|Venter}}||[[South African Army|SA Army]]|| [[Lance Corporal|L/ Corporal]]|| 44 Bde Mil Int ||{{dts|format=dmy|1987|September|6}}<ref name=SAF1/> ||
|022 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1987|September|6}}
|44 Bde Mil Int
|[[South African Army|SA Army]]
|-
|-
|De Gouveia, Johnny J.H.
|023 <ref name=Uys183/> ||{{sortname|Johnny J.H.|De Gouveia}}||[[South African Army|SA Army]]|| [[Sergeant]]|| 1 Reconnaissance Regiment ||{{dts|format=dmy|1987|September|20}} ||
|[[Sergeant|Sgt]]
|023 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1987|September|20}}
|1 Recce Rgt
|[[South African Army|SA Army]]
|-
|-
|Badenhorst, Johannes Jacobus
|024 <ref name=Uys183/> ||{{sortname|Johannes Jacobus|Badenhorst}}||[[South African Army|SA Army]]|| [[Sapper]]|| 13 Field Eng Regt ||{{dts|format=dmy|1988|April|23}}<ref name=SAF1/> ||
|[[Sapper|Spr]]
|024 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1988|April|23}}
|13 Fd Eng Regt
|[[South African Army|SA Army]]
|-
|-
|Slade, Alan Mark
|025 <ref name=Uys183/> ||{{sortname|Alan Mark|Slade}}||[[South African Air Force|SAAF]]|| [[Captain (land)|Captain]]|| [[22 Squadron SAAF|22 Sqn]] ||{{dts|format=dmy|1989|April|1}}<ref name=SAF1/>||
|[[Captain (land)|Capt]]
|025 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1989|April|1}}
|[[22 Squadron SAAF|22 Sqn]]
|[[South African Air Force|SAAF]]
|-
|-
|Frederikson, Theodore Kurt
|026 <ref name=Uys183/> ||{{sortname|Theodore Kurt|Frederikson}}||[[South African Air Force|SAAF]]|| [[Sergeant]]|| [[31 Squadron SAAF|31 Sqn]] ||{{dts|format=dmy|1989|April|1}}<ref name=SAF1/>||
|[[Sergeant|Sgt]]
|026 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1989|April|1}}
|[[31 Squadron SAAF|31 Sqn]]
|[[South African Air Force|SAAF]]
|-
|Scoular, Gary Ian [[Honoris Crux Silver#Actions cited for|♥]]
|[[Leading Seaman|L Sea]]
|027 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1991|August|4}}
|SAS Scorpion
|[[South African Navy|SAN]]
|-
|-
|027 <ref name=Uys183/> ||{{sortname|Gary Ian|Scoular}}<ref>{{cite news|title=The Heroes honoured with medals|url=http://m24arg02.naspers.com/argief/berigte/dieburger/1991/08/31/2/7.html|newspaper=Die Burger|date=31 August 1991}}</ref>||[[South African Navy|SA Navy]]|| [[Leading Seaman|L/Seaman]]|| SAS Scorpion ||{{dts|format=dmy|1991|August|4}} ||Awarded for rescue actions associated with the sinking of [[MTS Oceanos]]
|}
|}


Note 1: {{KIA}} denotes posthumous award.<br>
<!--- THERE IS NO REFERENCE TO FIDLER IN UYS' BOOK: UYS CONSIDERED THE DEFINITIVE REFERENCE

|-
==Actions cited for==
|'''00?''' <ref name=Uys183/> ||{{sortname|Bruce A.|Fidler}}{{KIA}}||[[ South African Military Health Service|SAMS]]|| [[Corporal]]|| [[7 Med Bn Gp]]||{{dts|link=off|format=dmy|1985|September|15}}<ref>{{cite web|title=South African Roll of Honour|url=http://www.justdone.co.za/ROH/main.php?page=View_Person&PersonNumber=456|work=Fidler, B.A., Cpl}}</ref> ||During a movement his unit was ambushed and he was subsequently captured and interrogated. Cpl Fidler was executed by the enemy during interrogation. He never revealed the presence of his nearby unit although been brutally interrogated thereby enabling them to escape and evade. His remains was repatriated back to South Africa 10 years later and on 15 September 1995 he was cremated precisely 10 years after his death. Corporal Fidler was posthumously awarded the HCS for his actions of bravery. Cpl Fidler's name appears on both the roll of honour of 1 Parachute Battalion and 7 Medical Battalion Groups<ref>{{cite web|title=South African War Graves Project|url=http://www.southafricawargraves.org/lists/saborder_e_f.htm|work=Bambatha Rebellion / Rand Revolt / Korea / Border War / Non World War / Police Casualties (E-F)}}</ref>|

--->
;Botes, Christo Wilhelm
Sergeant Botes was the flight engineer on the helicopter mission for which [[Arthur W. Walker|Capt Arthur Walker]], [[Honoris Crux Gold|HCG and Bar]], was decorated. He was awarded the HCS for his life threatening actions when they landed their helicopter whilst under intense enemy fire to rescue the crew of a downed Alouette III helicopter, Lieutenant Serge Bovie and Sergeant Dolf van Rensburg.<ref>Bagshawe (1990), p. 68</ref>


;Costa, Feliciano
{{KIA}} denotes posthumous award.
Awarded for action with enemy insurgents 16&nbsp;km north of the Angolan border during a succession of interlinked firefights, where Rifleman Costa repeatedly attacked and killed enemy insurgents using grenades after his RPD had been damaged by enemy fire. He was the first member of the SADF to be presented with the HCS at a medal parade in the operational area.<ref>{{cite web|title=Honoris Crux|url=http://flecha.co.uk/honoris_crux.html|work=Rifleman Feliciano Costa}}</ref>


;Lewer, Richard Campbell McNeillie (Dick)
==References and Links==
Awarded for close air support to an ambushed [[South West African Territorial Force#Military Units|31 Batallion]] company close to [[Xangongo]] that was deployed as a stopper group for the opening of [[Operation Protea]]. Major Lewer repeatedly attacked a large force of [[SWAPO]]/[[Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola|FAPLA]] elements who had pinned down the SADF company. Operating alone and at night in his single seat [[Aermacchi MB-326|Impala Mk II]], his continued attacks allowed the company to withdraw to safety.<ref>Bagshawe (1990), pp. 21-22</ref>


;Scoular, Gary Ian
===Notes===
Awarded for his action to search for possibly trapped passengers in the listing and sinking ship [[MTS Oceanos]] off the Transkei Wild Coast on 4 August 1991.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dié helde word met medaljes vereer|url=http://m24arg02.naspers.com/argief/berigte/dieburger/1991/08/31/2/7.html|newspaper=Die Burger|date=31 August 1991}}</ref>
{{Reflist|group=note}}


===References===
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist|2}}


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Honoris Crux (1952)]]
* [[British and Commonwealth orders and decorations]]
* [[Honoris Crux (1975)]]
* [[South African military decorations]]
* [[Honoris Crux Gold]]
* [[Honoris Crux Diamond]]
* [[South African honours system]]
* [[South African military decorations]]
* [[South African military decorations order of precedence]]


==Further reading==
==External links and additional sources==
* Alexander, E. G. M., Barron G. K. B. and Bateman, A. J. (1986). ''South African Orders, Decorations and Medals''. Human and Rousseau.
* Alexander, E.G.M., Barron G.K.B. and Bateman, A.J. (1986). ''South African Orders, Decorations and Medals''. Human and Rousseau.
* Monick, S, (1988). ''South African Military Awards 1912-1987''. South African National Museum of Military History.
* Monick, S, (1988). ''South African Military Awards 1912-1987''. South African National Museum of Military History.
* Uys, Ian. (1992). ''Cross of Honour''. Uys Publishers.
* [http://samw.hwmw.net46.net/ South African Medals Website]


[[Category:Military awards and decorations of South Africa]]
[[Category:Military awards and decorations of South Africa]]

Revision as of 23:23, 1 May 2014

This article is about the Honoris Crux Silver. For other uses, see Honoris Crux.

Honoris Crux Silver
TypeMilitary decoration for bravery
CountrySouth Africa  South Africa
EligibilityAll Ranks
Post-nominalsHCS
Campaign(s)1966-1989 Border War
StatusDiscontinued in 2003
Established1975
Ribbon bar
Precedence
Next (higher)
SADF precedence:[1]
SANDF precedence:[2]
Next (lower)
SADF precedence:[1]
SANDF precedence:[2]

The Honoris Crux Silver (Silver Cross of Honour) is a military decoration for bravery that was instituted by the Republic of South Africa in 1975.

The Honoris Crux Silver, post-nominal letters HCS,[3] was in use from 1 July 1975 and was awarded to members of the South African Defence Force for exceptional acts of bravery while in great danger. It was the third most senior in a set of four classes of Honoris Crux decorations that replaced the discontinued Honoris Crux of 1952.[4]

The South African military

The Union Defence Forces (UDF) were established in 1912 and renamed the South African Defence Force (SADF) in 1958. On 27 April 1994 it was integrated with six other independent forces into the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).[5]

Orders, decorations and medals

In April 1952 a series of military decorations and medals was instituted, consisting of substitutes for many of the British and Commonwealth awards which had earlier been used. More decorations and medals, as well as an emblem for being mentioned in dispatches, were added between 1953 and 1970. In July 1975 the military decorations and medals of the Republic were revised. Some decorations and medals were carried over from the earlier series of 1952-1975 and new awards were instituted, followed by more between 1987 and 1991. Finally, all but one of these earlier awards were discontinued in respect of services performed on or after 27 April 2003, when a new set of nine decorations and medals was instituted to replace them.[4][5][6][7][8]

Awarding authority

Until 1958 the top three awards were reserved for conferment by the Queen while the rest were awarded by the Governor-General, but in 1958 the Governor-General was authorised to also award the top three. In 1961 the State President became the awarding authority, and in 1994 the President.[5]

Award criteria

The Honoris Crux Silver, post-nominal letters HCS, was awarded to members of the South African Defence Force for exceptional acts of bravery in action while in great danger. A Bar could be awarded for a further similar deed of bravery. It was the third most senior of a set of four classes of Honoris Crux decorations, the Honoris Crux Diamond, Honoris Crux Gold, Honoris Crux Silver and Honoris Crux that replaced the discontinued Honoris Crux of 1952.[4]

Order of precedence

The position of the Honoris Crux Silver in the official order of precedence was revised twice to accommodate the institution or addition of new decorations and medals, first with the integration into the South African National Defence Force on 27 April 1994 and again with the institution of a new set of awards on 27 April 2003, but it remained unchanged on both occasions.[1][2]

Official SANDF order of precedence
Official national order of precedence

Description

Obverse

The Honoris Crux Silver is a silver Maltese cross that fits in a circle 45 millimetres in diameter, with two swords in saltire surmounted by a circular protea wreath, the arms of the cross in green enamel, with a roundel in the centre tierced horizontally in the orange, white and blue bands of the national flag, framed in a double silver circle containing 24 stones.[9] It is identical to the Honoris Crux of 1975 in all respects except the colour of the enamel on the arms of the cross.

Reverse

The reverse has the pre-1994 South African Coat of Arms, with the decoration number underneath.[9]

Bar

The bar is of silver with a miniature replica of the Maltese cross embossed in the centre.

Ribbon

The ribbon is 32 millimetres wide, orange with two 1 millimetre wide white bands in the centre, spaced 4 millimetres apart.[9]

Discontinuation

The conferment of the decoration was discontinued in respect of services performed on or after 27 April 2003, when the Honoris Crux Silver was replaced by the new Nkwe ya Selefera on 27 April 2003.[4]

Recipients

In respect of those recipients about whom it is available as indicated by the ♥ symbol after their names, the actions they were cited for follow below the table, since inclusion in the table itself is impractical.

Name Rank HCS no. Date of action Unit Service
Arm
Swanepoel, Pieter Arnoldus Cpl 001 [10] 11 Nov 1975 2 SAI Bn SA Army
Van Niekerk, Hermanus 2 Lt 002 [10] 23 Nov 1975 14 Fd Rgt SA Army
Wannenburg, Frederick Gerhardus  † 2 Lt 003 [10] 7 Dec 1975 1 Recce Rgt SA Army
Piccione, Kevin Bruce Tpr 004 [10] 26 Dec 1975 1 SSB SA Army
Rawlins, Vincent R. Cpl 005 [10] 3 Jan 1976 3 SAI Bn SA Army
Ward, William James Harold S Sgt 006 [10] 10 Mar 1976 2 Recce Rgt SA Army
Childs, Perry James Lt 007 [10] 27 Mar 1976 17 Sqn SAAF
Meerholz, Cornelius Alwyn Johannes Capt 008 [10] 28 Oct 1977 1 Recce Rgt SA Army
Hogan, Leo Anthony Rfn 009 [10] 9 Nov 1977 3 Para Bn SA Army
Costa, Feliciano ♥ Rfn 010 [10] 22 Apr 1979 32 Bn SA Army
Breytenbach, Cornelius Noël Cmdt 011 [10] 1 Sep 1979 19 Sqn SAAF
Stannard, Richard John Lt 012 [10] 28 Jan 1981 1 Recce Rgt SA Army
Lewer, Richard Campbell McNeillie ♥ Maj 013 [10] 23 Aug 1981 8 Sqn SAAF
Botes, Christo Wilhelm ♥ Sgt 014 [10] 29 Dec 1981 AFB Ondangwa SAAF
Barnes, Leslie Edward Sgt 015 [10] 20 May 1983 MRU SAAF
Bantjes, Alexander Petrus Cpl 016 [10] 19 Mar 1984 MRU SAAF
Hashomwenda, Dawie Rfn 017 [10] 6 Feb 1985 101 Bn SA Army
Van Zyl, Hendrik Gideon Lt 018 [10] 11 Feb 1985 Spec Serv HQ SAMS
Diedericks, André HC (HC 1976) Maj 019 [10] 1 Jun 1985 Spec Forces HQ SA Army
Steyn, Jacobus Frederik Maj 020 [10] 1 Jan 1987 NC Command SA Army
Roux, Anton Louis L Cpl 021 [10] 28 Feb 1987 10 Med Gp SAMS
Venter, Johannes Antonie L Cpl 022 [10] 6 Sep 1987 44 Bde Mil Int SA Army
De Gouveia, Johnny J.H. Sgt 023 [10] 20 Sep 1987 1 Recce Rgt SA Army
Badenhorst, Johannes Jacobus Spr 024 [10] 23 Apr 1988 13 Fd Eng Regt SA Army
Slade, Alan Mark Capt 025 [10] 1 Apr 1989 22 Sqn SAAF
Frederikson, Theodore Kurt Sgt 026 [10] 1 Apr 1989 31 Sqn SAAF
Scoular, Gary Ian ♥ L Sea 027 [10] 4 Aug 1991 SAS Scorpion SAN

Note 1:  † denotes posthumous award.

Actions cited for

Botes, Christo Wilhelm

Sergeant Botes was the flight engineer on the helicopter mission for which Capt Arthur Walker, HCG and Bar, was decorated. He was awarded the HCS for his life threatening actions when they landed their helicopter whilst under intense enemy fire to rescue the crew of a downed Alouette III helicopter, Lieutenant Serge Bovie and Sergeant Dolf van Rensburg.[11]

Costa, Feliciano

Awarded for action with enemy insurgents 16 km north of the Angolan border during a succession of interlinked firefights, where Rifleman Costa repeatedly attacked and killed enemy insurgents using grenades after his RPD had been damaged by enemy fire. He was the first member of the SADF to be presented with the HCS at a medal parade in the operational area.[12]

Lewer, Richard Campbell McNeillie (Dick)

Awarded for close air support to an ambushed 31 Batallion company close to Xangongo that was deployed as a stopper group for the opening of Operation Protea. Major Lewer repeatedly attacked a large force of SWAPO/FAPLA elements who had pinned down the SADF company. Operating alone and at night in his single seat Impala Mk II, his continued attacks allowed the company to withdraw to safety.[13]

Scoular, Gary Ian

Awarded for his action to search for possibly trapped passengers in the listing and sinking ship MTS Oceanos off the Transkei Wild Coast on 4 August 1991.[14]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Republic of South Africa Government Gazette no. 15093, Pretoria, 3 September 1993
  2. ^ a b c d e Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 477, no. 27376, Pretoria, 11 March 2005, ISBN 9771682584003 27376
  3. ^ South African Medals Website - Post-nominal Letters
  4. ^ a b c d South African Medals Website - SA Defence Force : 1975-2003
  5. ^ a b c South African Medals Website - SA Defence Force : 1952-1975
  6. ^ Suid-Afrikaanse militêre dekorasies: 1952-1975
  7. ^ Suid-Afrikaanse militêre dekorasies: 1975-2003
  8. ^ Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 457, no. 25213, Pretoria, 25 July 2003
  9. ^ a b c Monick, S (1988). South African Military Awards 1912-1987. South African National Museum of Military History. p. 49.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa Uys, Ian (1992). Cross of Honour. Uys Publishers. p. 183. ISBN 0-9583173-2-1.
  11. ^ Bagshawe (1990), p. 68
  12. ^ "Honoris Crux". Rifleman Feliciano Costa.
  13. ^ Bagshawe (1990), pp. 21-22
  14. ^ "Dié helde word met medaljes vereer". Die Burger. 31 August 1991.

See also

Further reading

  • Alexander, E.G.M., Barron G.K.B. and Bateman, A.J. (1986). South African Orders, Decorations and Medals. Human and Rousseau.
  • Monick, S, (1988). South African Military Awards 1912-1987. South African National Museum of Military History.
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